News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California
(Martinez, CA) – Contra Costa County offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 20, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Emergency services and law enforcement will be available.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Contra Costa County Disaster Recovery Center will remain open from 10 am to 7 pm at 510 La Gonda Way in Danville to help residents impacted by recent winter storms. For more information, please see www.contracosta.ca.gov/9761.
By Public Information Officer Ashley Crandell, Antioch Police Department Community Engagement Unit
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 2:56 pm, the Antioch Police Department Communications Center received a call reporting shots fired at a residence in the 2300 block of “L” Street. Shortly after, a second call was received from an individual reporting they had been on the phone with a male at the residence when a gunshot was heard in the background. The caller believed the male had committed suicide.
Officers arrived and contacted bail bonds agents who indicated they had gone to the residence to take a 30-year-old male into custody for multiple outstanding felony warrants. As they approached the front door, they heard one gunshot from inside the residence. Officers received no response at the residence and forced entry to find a deceased male with a gunshot wound to the head. The male was found still holding a handgun. No other occupants were found inside the residence.
Officers continue to investigate the incident and ask any potential witnesses to contact our Dispatch Center at (925) 778-2441. We are not naming the victim at this time pending further notification of family members.
Adan Contreras Rivas. Source: CSLB
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
On February 8th, 2023, a jury in Contra Costa County found 42-year-old Adan Contrera Rivas of Modesto guilty of multiple felonies and misdemeanors related to unlicensed contracting, fraud, theft, and failing to obtain workers’ compensation insurance.
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed an initial complaint against Rivas in March 2022 following an investigation into his actions that led to his eventual arrest. After his release on his own recognizance, Rivas was arrested again in November 2022 for posing as a licensed contractor in the landscaping and construction industry and stealing thousands of dollars from unsuspecting consumers. Prior to his offenses in Contra Costa County, Rivas had served time in the state prison for several related felony and misdemeanor convictions for grand theft, theft from an elder, and contracting without a license in Santa Clara County.
Deputy District Attorney Natasha Mehta, who prosecuted the case for the People, said: “The defendant defrauded numerous victims out of thousands of dollars. Justice was achieved for those harmed by Rivas in this case, and the jury’s conviction will help to protect consumers in the future.”
Rivas will be sentenced on March 8, 2022, in Martinez, and faces up to 9 years and 8 months in prison.
Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton notes, “My office is protecting consumers in the county by partnering with multiple government agencies like the Contractors State License Board and the California Department of Insurance. This partnership has been effective in conducting undercover sting operations, as well as, investigating unlicensed contractors who fail to obtain workers’ compensation insurance.”
According to the Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board website, Rivas was added to their Most Wanted List in 2015. Born in 1984 he used numerous aliases including Orlando Parras, Adam Contreras Rivas, Adam Rivas Contreras and Juan Rangel. Rivas operated under several business names including Parras Landscaping and Pavers, View Tree Service, High Tech Tree Care, New View Tree Care, New View Tree Service, One Way Tree Service, View Maintenance & Landscaping, View Landscaping & Tree Service, High Tech Tree Care.
Investigators believe Adan Rivas victimized more than two dozen Bay Area families by soliciting landscaping and tree removal services. According to investigators, Rivas usually focused his attention on more affluent neighborhoods, often targeting the elderly. It’s alleged that after reaching an agreement with a homeowner, Rivas would take an excessive down payment and then abandon the job.
When Rivas was added to CSLB’s Most Wanted in July 2015, most of the alleged crimes occurred in the cities of Danville, San Ramon, Alamo, Lafayette, Orinda, and Walnut Creek. In October 2016 this page was updated to reflect that it was believed Rivas was also using the name Orlando Parras of Parras Landscaping and Pavers and victimized homeowners in both Alameda and Santa Clara Counties.
Rivas was arrested on April 19, 2017 in Medford, Oregon, on felony charges of aggravated first-degree theft, first-degree theft, and on his California arrest warrant. He was ultimately charged in Santa Clara County with 25 counts of financial elder abuse, grand theft, larceny, unlicensed contracting, and failure to provide workers compensation insurance. On September 15, 2017, Rivas agreed to a plea bargain and pled guilty to eight of the 25 counts. On November 1, 2017, he reported to San Quentin State Prison to serve a 20-month prison sentence.
Unlicensed contractors pose a threat to consumers by failing to acquire skills and licensure when hired to perform home improvement or construction projects. Some unlicensed contractors illegally require excessive down payments for construction or landscaping projects, and frequently fail to begin or complete projects once they receive money. Consumers are often unaware unlicensed contractors have not completed background checks and usually do not carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees – which increases liability risks to consumers.
California law requires contractors to be licensed in their chosen specialty and to obtain the appropriate insurances, including workers’ compensation insurance. Moreover, contractors are legally required to conduct their business in specific ways, which includes restrictions on down payment amounts. For more information on how to verify a contractor’s license, go to cslb.ca.gov.
01-198386-5 | The People of the State of California vs. Rivas, Adan
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
By Matt J. Malone, Public Information Officer, Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa
Per Government Code Section 68084.1, the Court intends to escheat the sum of $201,665.09 in the Court’s Operations Fund that has remained unclaimed for a period exceeding three years. For more information on the unclaimed funds, please visit the Court’s website at:
https://www.cc-courts.org/fees/unclaimedfunds.aspx
The Court has published a legal notice in the East Bay Times and has sent letters to potential owners of these funds. If you believe that you are entitled to any of the funds, you must complete and submit a Claim Affirmation Form and Claim for Reimbursement. These forms and instructions are available at the above hyperlink. Claim forms must be postmarked no later than March 24, 2023.
By Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
On January 20, 2023, 62-year-old Kevin Jerome Easter has been found guilty of first degree murder. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office retried the case after the original conviction was overturned on appeal in 2019.
Easter shot his wife multiple times on the night of August 7th, 2013, in their Pittsburg residence. During his trial in 2014, his defense attorney declared that Easter was not competent to stand trial for his crimes, which included a firearm enhancement and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Competency issues were renewed in 2015 by his defense, but a judge ultimately found him guilty. He was sentenced to 65 years and eight months in prison. His appeal in 2019 reversed the conviction, resolved the competency issues, and returned the case to Superior Court for a retrial – where the prosecution prevailed in court.
“After many years, the victim’s family and the community have closure on a tragic and senseless murder,” said Deputy District Attorney Jordan Sanders. “This prosecution would not be possible without the hard work of the Pittsburg Police Department, the time and energy of the neighbors who came to testify about details which happened so long ago, and the victim’s family for having the strength to endure another trial. The overwhelming evidence of the defendant’s guilt justified a conviction for first degree murder.”
Easter will be sentenced at a future date and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
04-197959-0| The People of the State of California vs. Kevin Jerome Easter
By Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has determined San Pablo Police Officers were legally justified in their use of force against 45-year-old Sergio Baldemar Escalera-Valdez in 2021.
Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident reports (LEIFI) are conducted by the CCCDAO whenever a law enforcement officer or a civilian is shot, killed, or dies during an encounter with members of a police agency. The District Attorney’s Office conducts its own independent investigation into law enforcement fatal incidents to determine if officers are criminally liable for their actions. If evidence of criminal conduct is found during the DA’s investigation, a LEIFI report may be used in a trial as evidence – and will not be released to the public until the trial has concluded. However, if the DA’s Office determines that criminal charges will not be filed, the report will be released to the public in a timely manner.
District Attorney Diana Becton notes, “My promise to the voters of Contra Costa County has consistently been about prioritizing public safety, transparency, and increased accountability. When my office undertakes a LEIFI investigation, our goal is to thoroughly investigate the facts to determine criminal liability and detail those findings in a clear and comprehensive manner.”
The incident involving Valdez started around 2:25 in the afternoon on December 15th, 2021, in the parking lot of the Evergreen Market at 1330 Market Avenue in San Pablo. An employee at the market called 911 to report a white or Hispanic male in the parking lot holding a firearm. The employee also noted that it appeared the man was manipulating the firearm’s magazine.
When officers from San Pablo Police were dispatched to the area, they met at a staging area near the Evergreen Market to prepare to contact Valdez. A dispatcher radioed to the officers that the man was seen driving a red Toyota Tacoma recklessly out of the parking lot. Officers spotted the vehicle and pursued Valdez and got him to pull over. Officers noted that Valdez appeared to be moving around the cab of the truck in an unusual manner. With their weapons drawn, officers ordered Valdez to show his hands multiple times. He initially responded “No” but then placed his hands outside the window of the truck – where his hands appeared to be bloody. Valdez then exited the vehicle with his back toward the officers and had what appeared to be a firearm in his hand. When Valdez appeared to manipulate the weapon by “racking the slide” (i.e., pulling the pistol’s slide to the rear and releasing it – which is a movement consistent with loading a cartridge into a firearm’s chamber), he turned around and faced the officers. After repeated commands to drop the weapon, Valdez brought the weapon up. The officers, believing, they were in imminent danger of Valdez firing his gun at them, fired their weapons at him. After Valdez was no longer a threat, officers kicked away the gun – which was later identified as a BB-handgun. Emergency medical responders arrived on the scene, and attempted life-saving measures, and transported him to a local hospital where he later died from his wounds.
Witness statements from those who were related to Valdez noted that he had been depressed for several months due to financial difficulties. He also said to family members that he planned to kill himself. On December 15th about an hour before the 911 call was made, an employee from the Evergreen Market interacted with Valdez in the parking lot after Valdez called him over to his truck. Valdez attempted to give the worker money, but the worker refused. He then began to cry, and the worker offered to help him with whatever was causing him grief. Valdez said there was no way to solve his problem and that he wasn’t going to kill himself but would “let the cops do it for me.”
On December 16th, Dr. Arnold Josselson performed an autopsy on Valdez for the Contra Costa County Coroner. In his report, Dr. Josselson noted that Valdez had seven gunshot wounds, with a fatal wound to his chest that also penetrated his liver. Toxicology results noted Valdez tested positive for “methamphetamine, amphetamine, and THC (marijuana). It also revealed that Valdez’s blood alcohol level was .210 % (over twice the legal limit for driving under the influence).”
In its legal analysis, the District Attorney’s Office concluded that the officers’ actions in stopping Valdez in his vehicle and attempting to detain him were lawful – given the information officers received from the 911 call. Furthermore, the officers involved in the shooting were justified in their lethal use of force due to their reasonable belief that they needed to defend themselves against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. As such, no further action will be taken in this case.
The District Attorney’s Office notified the Valdez family about the publication of this report. A copy of the report has also been sent to the San Pablo Police Department, state Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office, and is available on the District Attorney’s website.
Peter Brown and Janet Jenkins. Photos: BAC Community Bank
By Josef Britschgi, Marketing & Communication Administrator, BAC Community Bank
BAC Community Bank has announced the addition of Peter Brown, as the company’s new Chief Credit Officer, and the promotion of company veteran Janet Jenkins to Chief Innovation Officer.
A proven professional with more than 20 years of commercial lending experience, Brown brings a deep understanding of relationship banking, credit administration, and portfolio management to his new role at BAC Community Bank. Following his work in middle-market commercial leasing at AT&T Capital Leasing, Brown progressively advanced his knowledge and career serving in various lending roles at community banks. Brown served as a commercial loan officer for Oak Valley Community Bank, where he advanced to the role of credit administrator. He is a 2016 graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.
Jenkins previously served as the Chief Credit Officer at BAC Community Bank and maintains the status of the longest tenured employee of the bank approaching her 40-year work anniversary later this year. During that time the bank has weathered many challenging economic conditions while remaining independent and highly rated for its loan quality and overall banking services. Despite past and present market volatility, the bank continues to explore and adopt emerging technologies to improve efficiencies and customer experience. Jenkins has served on various innovation committees throughout the bank and has directly overseen the implementation of many such projects within the bank’s lending department. Some of these projects include the digitization of documents, adoption of electronic signatures, implementation of workflow systems, online mortgage loan applications, and various system automation initiatives. These experiences have prepared Jenkins well for her new role at the bank. She is a graduate of the University of the Pacific and Pacific Coast Banking School.
This announcement demonstrates the bank’s continued focus on loan growth and further adoption of cutting-edge technologies to best meet the needs of the customers and communities it serves. Identifying products and solutions before customers may realize the need is a unique challenge that the bank has mastered over the years. For example, before the introduction of the internet, BAC Community Bank deployed online banking software ahead of much larger banks. Pioneering such innovative solutions is the result of constant evaluation of opportunities for improvement led by the executive team who solicits recommendations from staff and customers alike.
“We are excited for both Peter and Janet,” said Dana Bockstahler, CEO of BAC Community Bank. “These enhancements to our executive team should serve our customers and communities well, reinforcing our commitment to strengthen the financial health of the communities we serve by connecting people to extraordinary financial services.”
About BAC Community Bank
BAC Community Bank is California’s 10th oldest state-chartered bank. Established in 1965, BAC operates branch offices throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Contra Costa counties including in Antioch, Brentwood, Concord and Discovery Bay, and is identified as “one of the strongest financial institutions in the nation” by BauerFinancial, Inc.
The bank is centrally headquartered in Stockton, California, and is continuously recognized for banking excellence through local awards and banking industry accolades.
BAC Community Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Employer. Member FDIC. More information is available online at www.bankbac.com.
Arrest photos of suspects Delancey Huff and Donley Thompson. By APD
By Antioch Police Public Information Officer Ashley Crandell, Community Engagement Unit
On February 1, 2023, at 3:08 pm, the Antioch Police Department’s Dispatch Center received a call from a resident on Durness Court reporting a burglary in-progress of an occupied residence. Information received reported the occupant was possibly an elderly female.
Officers immediately responded to the scene and were assisted by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit, which was overhead within minutes. The Air Unit advised the back door was shattered and there was a vehicle backed into the driveway. When officers arrived on scene, the suspects, 31-year-old Donley Thompson of Sacramento and 42-year-old Delancey Huff of El Cerrito, fled in the vehicle that was in the driveway, striking a police vehicle. No officers were injured because of the police vehicle being struck.
Officers pursued the vehicle with the assistance of the Air Unit. Ultimately, the suspect vehicle got onto Highway 4 and collided with a guardrail near the Hillcrest Drive off-ramp. Huff and Thompson ran across westbound traffic on Highway 4, over the BART tracks in the middle of Highway 4, and through the eastbound lanes of traffic. Huff and Thompson were attempting to carjack people that were stopped on the eastbound Highway 4 off-ramp at Hillcrest Drive. Officers chased Huff and Thompson on foot and ultimately took them into custody on the offramp.
Officers located the victim’s stolen property in the vehicle that was abandoned by the suspects and her property was later returned to her. She was not in the residence at the time of the burglary.
Huff and Thompson were arrested for felony burglary, conspiracy, and reckless evading of a police officer. Huff was on parole for residential burglary and was released from custody on December 22, 2022.
We would like to thank the alert resident who saw something suspicious and contacted our Dispatch Center about it. We would also like to thank the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit for assisting our officers in the capture of these suspects.
By Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
An assisted living worker at Atria Walnut Creek has been charged with a felony complaint in the death of a 94-year-old resident on August 31, 2022.
54-year-old Lateshia Sherise Starling of San Pablo faces one count of elder or dependent adult abuse, resulting in the death of Constantine Albert Canoun [PC368(b)(1)]. The complaint against Ms. Starling states while having care and custody of Mr. Canoun, she “willfully caused and permitted him to be placed in a situation in which his health was endangered and knew and reasonably should have known that (Mr. Canoun) was an elder and dependent adult.”
Mr. Canoun resided in the Memory Care Unit at Atria Walnut Creek and suffered from dementia. On the night of August 23rd, Mr. Canoun was rushed to John Muir Medical Center after ingesting all-purpose cleaning solution in a nearby kitchen area. He died on August 31st from injuries to his stomach, esophagus, and part of his throat.
Following an investigation by the Walnut Creek Police Department, the incident was referred to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office on January 24th. After reviewing the referral, charges were filed with the Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County. Ms. Starling will be arraigned on January 30th at 1:30 pm in Martinez. She is currently in the Martinez Detention Facility with a bail amount set at $100,000.
01-23-00272 | The People of the State of California vs. Lateshia Sherise Starling
By Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
On January 19th, 2023, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office prevailed in convicting 40-year-old Julian Chenychen on multiple counts related to the sexual abuse of a girl, who is a minor.
On June 1st, 2020, Jane Doe was admitted to a local hospital in Concord and gave birth to a full-term stillborn baby. Doe noted to the medical staff at the time that she didn’t know what was happening to her body, nor did she understand she was pregnant. It was only after hours of suffering through severe stomach pains that Chenychen took her to the hospital.
Staff at the hospital notified law enforcement about the stillbirth and their belief that Julian Chenychen impregnated her. Law enforcement officers detained Chenychen and referred the investigation to Antioch Police. After several forensic interviews with Jane Doe, and investigations by Antioch Police Detectives Kelly Inabnett and Brittney Crites, it was determined that the molestation incidents had been occurring for years.
The DA’s Office filed a complaint against Chenychen in 2021. The charges included six counts of aggravated assault of a child [PC269)], 11 counts of lewd or lascivious acts involving children [PC288(b)], and an enhancement of bodily harm inflicted during the commission of a felony [PC12022.7] – which is related to Jane Doe’s pregnancy.
Chenychen was convicted by a jury for his actions on all charges. He faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Deputy District Attorney Chris Sansoe noted that while the crimes committed against Jane Doe in this case were truly horrific, she is currently in a supportive living situation that’s helping her heal from the abuse she suffered in the past.
According to Antioch Police Department Public Information Officer Ashley Crandell, ‘On July 15, 2020, the Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau was made aware of sexual assaults that occurred in multiple cities, including Antioch, during the years 2019 and 2020. Our Sexual Assault Detectives Brittney Crites and Kelly Inabnett immediately began investigating the allegations.
Due to their diligent work, they learned the suspect, Julian Chenychen, had sexual relations with the minor victim for several years, eventually impregnating her. Detectives Crites and Inabnett worked tirelessly to gather evidence and coordinate with other entities to complete this investigation.
Chenychen was arrested in 2020. On January 19, 2023, he was convicted of 17 different felony counts of crimes related to aggravated sexual assault of a child. His maximum sentence is life without the possibility of parole.
This is a devastating case, and we want to recognize the tireless and dedicated work of Detectives Crites and Inabnett. It is also important to recognize, this was a collaborative effort with Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Chris Sansoe, the District Attorney’s Office Advocate Group, and Contra Costa County Investigator/K9 handler Janet Era and her canine companion, Bear. Bear is a support dog that was able to help comfort this child throughout the entire process. The outcome of this case is due to the collaborative effort of all involved and the dedication of our detectives.
Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, information as to the location and name or any identifying information pertaining to the victim are being withheld. This was an isolated incident, and we have no reason to believe there are additional victims.
A January 24th post on the Antioch Police Department’s Facebook page reads, “Our Violent Crimes Detectives Crites and Inabnett worked tirelessly to ensure this case was investigated thoroughly. Thank you to @ContraCostaDA for your partnership on this!”
Case #04-199931-7 | The People of the State of California vs. Julian Chenychen
